R.J. Dill discusses decision to finish college career at Rutgers

Former Maryland offensive tackle R.J. Dill will complete his career at Rutgers.

Dill said in a brief telephone interview Wednesday that he chose Rutgers over Connecticut and Marshall.

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“It was a huge family feel,” Dill said. “That’s what I was looking for for my final year.”

Dill, who graduates from Maryland this week with a degree in economics, said earlier this month he would use his final year of eligibility at another school. NCAA rules allow a player who already has an undergraduate degree to transfer without sitting out a year. The caveat is the player must enroll in a graduate program not offered by the previous school.

Dill said he will pursue a graduate degree in labor relations, which he said was not available to him at Maryland.

There is also a football component as well. Dill, who finished last season as Maryland’s active leader in games started (33) and consecutive games started (30), will join a team losing three starters on the offensive line.

Rutgers (8-4), which faces Iowa State in the Pinstripe Bowl on Dec. 30, will need to replace its starting guards and center. It brings back both of its tackles, the position Dill played throughout his Maryland career.

“There’s an opportunity to play there,” Dill said. “I’m not walking into a guarantee I’ll be starting. I’m walking into a situation where there’s an opportunity to compete for a spot.”